The material could be used to build future spacecraft and space stations. Image Credit: NASA
Despite their small size, debris fragments and micro meteorites can cause significant damage to orbiting satellites and spacecraft. The crew of the International Space Station even have an escape capsule permanently on standby to get them to safety in the event of such a collision.
Now in a renewed bid to find a solution to this problem, NASA has come up with a remarkable new type of material that is able to heal up all on its own within as little as two seconds.
His vision for the future is certainly not outside the realm of possibility – especially given that NASA has already been working on its next generation rocket and space vehicle with the aim of placing a human on mars at some point within the next 25 years.
It is comprised of a reactive liquid between two layers of a solid polymer so that when it is punctured the liquid inside is exposed to the air and quickly solidifies – plugging up the hole.
The material could prove invaluable in other applications too such as in the contstruction of fuel tanks, military vehicles, aircraft and even on the outside of a future base on Mars.
